Fangirling Chinese Novels

Stewed Squid with Honey (蜜汁炖鱿鱼) — Chapter 45

It’s a short chapter. I know you guys may feel otherwise but I’m quite grateful for that since my little boy has not recovered from jet lag and that means I have had no sleep these last several days. Zzzzzz

As a result, when the two went back downstairs, Tong Nian’s reddened eyes and reddened tip of her nose, in her parent’s eyes, became…

She was so touched that they’re… not breaking up?

She walked him to the door.

She wanted to change her shoes and walk out with him, but he stopped her.

Earlier, before they stepped into the home, he had noticed that this community compound was overly quiet, and there was also a good portion of green space, which was ideal for hiding evildoers. Not safe. Very obediently, she stood at the door and gazed lingeringly after him as his backside disappeared from sight at the building entrance. Just like that, he’s… left? When will we see each other again? Alright, alright, Tong Nian, don’t be so clingy. He needs to work.

Letting her mind fill in the responses for her and consoling herself, Tong Nian walked sluggishly upstairs as if with a drooping tail.

Packing up her bags, she returned to her dormitory, where she discovered that Yaya had not come back. So, she idled around the dorm, all alone. On Monday, she had a common, compulsory English class. Riding her little bicycle, she drank the hot soy milk she had bought from the university dining hall while, at the same time, texting Yaya with her head down.

Glumly, she drank her soy milk in a few gulps and then tossed the cup into a garbage can. She wanted to stuff her own bicycle into a row of parked ones, but unfortunately, there was no more room. She had no choice but to set her bicycle off to the side first. While she was one by one shifting the other bikes, she heard someone say behind her, “Why the heck is this bike here? People are already in a hurry to get to class, and here you still are blocking the road.”

Tong Nian turned around. The persons happened to be her former dormmates from undergraduate studies. Immediately, she lowered her head and said apologetically, “I’m just making some room. I’ll move it right away…” Those two girls did not bother responding to her and simply left.

Blowing out a lengthy breath, she stuck out her tongue, then continued to move the bicycles with buried head.

Unexpectedly, from behind her, a boy riding a bicycle hurtled over and accidentally bumped into her waist, causing her to stumble forward.

Crash…

An entire row of bicycles… all… toppled… over…

Oh no T.T…

Standing there blankly, she stared at this row of bicycles. The boy behind her was also frozen in shock. “So, uh… sorry. This class I have right now calls attendance. If I don’t go, it’s a guaranteed fail—” Before his words were finished, a man had already extended a hand from behind Tong Nian and picked up a bicycle by its rear frame.

She hastily turned around. “Thank you.”

The instant she saw the person’s face, her mouth fell open slightly. She even thought that she still had not woken up yet—

Han Shangyan?!!

The person behind her lacked any expression on his face, simply too lazy to even bother reproaching her.

Just now, watching her from a spot not far away, he had originally wanted to enjoy that scene of her scrambling and jumping about to move the bicycles. He had not expected that it would be all sorts of unpleasantness. He had to say, even if that young punk had not exacerbated the situation, this row of bikes would, without a doubt, still have fallen over.

“Thanks, bro.” The boy arbitrarily stuffed his bicycle into the aisle and then ran off.

……

“Why… are you here?”

“I’m not welcome?” With two at a time in each hand, in just several dozen seconds, he had lifted all the bicycles in the entire row back upright, neatly lined them up, and, in passing, also tossed her white one into the line-up, too.

“No, that’s not it…” She gazed unblinkingly at him.

Her face was hot.

Her head was light…

She was super touched, super surprised, super… flustered that she did not even know where to put her hands and feet.

And so, she dazedly followed him all the way into the teaching building and up the stairs. Eventually, because she was walking too slowly, he took her by the wrist and pulled her straight to the fourth floor, hurrying to make it into the classroom before the bell rang.

To begin with, he was just sitting in on the class, so it would truly be inappropriate if he stepped in when the teacher was already there.

Prior to entering the classroom, he loosened his hold on her wrist.

In bewilderment, Tong Nian glanced into the room. He actually… knew that this was where she attended her class?

Quiet suddenly fell over the classroom. The various girls, ones who had been eating breakfast while chatting as well as other ones who had been exchanging gossip, all fixed their eyes on the man who had followed Tong Nian into the room, utterly stunned. Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, holy crap! Which faculty was that guy from? Why was he over here in Electronic and Electrical Engg’s English class? Sitting in on the class? Or was he a teaching assistant? Wait, no, definitely not a TA! He was too hot! If he really was a TA, the news would have spread through the entire faculty by now, you know!

Eh, eh?

He was with the girl from the gifted juvenile class—

All the boys broke into uproar.

Last night, two boys from some dorm room had still been howling her name…

Only Yaya, who was sitting in the very last row and had poked her head out from behind her book that had been stood upright on the desk, grinningly looked in from the faraway sidelines on this delighting scene. While she was at it, she tucked away the K&K brochure that Gun had autographed.

Gee, honestly, just all sorts of jealousy, envy, and hate. To have God Gun go with you to English class or whatever… Such a dang girly dream come true.

During his university days, he had often sat in the front row anyway. It was a convenient spot for arriving late and also handy for leaving straightaway once class was done.

Taking a seat with her, he watched as she took out her textbook and notebook as well as a small pencil pouch.

He had originally wanted to grab his mobile phone and read work emails on it… Thinking briefly, however, he pulled out a notebook from her schoolbag, spread it open, and set his phone in the middle of it. This could be considered his way of at least putting on the proper show.

Uh…

The old professor for this particular course… had the worst temper. Would he throw Han Shangyan out? …

Nervously, she clutched at her skirt.

All of a sudden, there was a warmth on the back of her hand. He caught her hand in his and set it down on his thigh. Then, maintaining this position of getting his tofu eaten[1] [being taken advantage of, in a physical, intimate manner] by her (?), he fell into his email-reading mode.

[1] 吃豆腐 “chi dou fu.” To recap footnote [1] in chapter 26, this is a saying that literally translates as “eating tofu” and is used to describe a situation where a person is taking physical liberties on someone else, i.e. sexual harassment, but the tone of the saying is rather light and not really serious. Tong Nian’s hand on Gun makes it look like he is “getting his tofu eaten by her” (i.e. he is the one being taken advantage of).

@hoju – you’re one of the kindness and most considerate translators I’ve seen on the inter-webs. Your updates are scheduled and punctual. You communicate with your readers when something is going to change. And even crazier – you pre-schedule updates in advance for when you’re on vacation. Translating is done out of the translator’s good will, so I don’t expect much as a reader. But it’s a refreshing surprise to have a translator care so much and be so dependable. Its’ definitely very much appreciated. Hope you had a wonderful vacation and thank you again.

Eating tofu? Whatever that means is, lol. I am wondering what’s your next translation project is hoju? I’m going to miss your translations as soon as this is one is over and of coarse Tong Nian and Gun. Thank you as always

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Unfortunately, this is a wish this genie cannot fulfill. I don’t do translation collaborations. That is not a reflection on my opinion of a translator’s abilities but merely because my personal style is quite scheduled and firm, which does not often work for most people.

This term has come up several times in the story already.😉 To eat someone’s tofu is to physically/intimately/sexually take advantage of someone, but the term is spoken more in a joking manner. Therefore, to have your tofu eaten mean someone is making advances on you.🙂

Next translation project still has not been decided, although I have several choices in mind already. When I decide, I will make an announcement.🙂 I tend to like to have some variation between projects, so the next one probably will be quite different.

I kind of feel that Gun went through Tong Nian’s phone the last time she was drunk to get contact numbers either that or he privately messaged Yaya that one time they gamed together.
Lol, his autographs sure are coming in handy.
Wonder how many more people he’s going to sell them to in his quest to tease TN?
Thank you Hoju

Eh Eh… I must be going senile, how can I forget today is the day GUN will appear? T^T
Thank you, hoju. Rest well. It’ll be so fun to have you back here again, up n running, replying the comments.
Mmuach…
On a sad reminder, only 5 chapters left.
T_T
T_T
Why did I faithfully showed up here twice weekly just for Gun but couldn’t put out the same in NaNoWriMo 2016?
Aigooo.

My last vacation was 3 years ago in Bali. Ugh. I missed it now more than ever. I did that too, often when coming back from vacation, my brightest memories would be about food and not experiences like tourism spots. Hahaha.
That is why my words bar didn’t move in NaNoWriMo’s count. With only 10 days left and over 37000 words to tackle, can’t help feeling despair.
I wish I can pick Gun and TN’s genius brains. Lol.
Am really curious what will be your next project, I found your translating style amazing and you have excellent tastes in picking up projects.

I haven’t completely decided on my next project yet, although I’m 80% certain which one it will be. However, I will be taking a little bit of time off first. When I’ve finalized the project and its start date, I’ll make an announcement.🙂

I haven’t settled on which will be my next translation, but I do have several in mind. All my projects are done with a personal reason. The story or something about it usually means something to me, or I have an intense passion for it. It’s the main motivation for translation.

Thank you for the vote of confidence, though. Hope someone picks up the story so you can read it.

Thank you, and yes, yes to the sleep part! LOL.
You will always be able to find petty and catty individuals. Tong Nian has looks and good grades—loved by the boys, loved by the profs. That would make certain people jealous. Her friendship with Yaya is, as Yaya said, based on the fact that Tong Nian is genuinely kind (always helped Yaya out with schoolwork).

Eating tofu is taking advantage of someone, but Gun set Tong Nian’s hand on his thigh so it looked like he was getting his tofu eaten by her (i.e. she was taking advantage of him). Hehe… makes himself look all innocent.

Well, a guy who is so comfortable in his skin to just walk around with his belt or waistband undone is pretty… um, attractive. ☺️ (That trail is so big you might need a mop. LOL)

Hm.. rather than toufu. . Could it be that Gun wanna let TN experience dating in a classroom?
Hand holding under the table sounds like the typical dating scene which someone like TN hasn’t experienced and if Gun is going to be the only one she will miss this.

We are so near the end. It never fails to leave that slight bitter-sweet taste, when ever I realize that a beloved story is nearing its end. 4 more chapters and 1 epilogue. I want to reach the sweet end soon but also want to approach it slower, the conflicting desires never do reconcile. But I know this for sure. Our lovely translators will gift us with another amazing C-novel translation that soothes any pain of saying good bye to Gun and Tong Nian. Tahnk you.

Ah, the pressure is on now.🙂 I have a few ideas but I haven’t made the final decision on which will be the next project. I will also be taking a little break after this story, but I will be back with another one of my favourites.🙂